Developing learning materials is one thing. Making sure they are relevant, accessible and suitable for the people who will use them is another.
In the LiLI – Life and Language Skills for Migrant Women project, the development of our learning modules has reached an important stage: expert validation.
The 30 modules, covering problem solving, critical thinking and decision making, have been developed to combine language learning with practical life skills. They address everyday situations in which migrant women need to communicate, assess information, find solutions and make informed decisions.
Before moving towards their digital implementation, the materials are being reviewed by experts across the partnership. The evaluation considers several aspects: the relevance of the topics, linguistic suitability for A2 and B1 language levels, pedagogical quality, opportunities for developing life skills, usability and cultural sensitivity.
Our review in Germany has been very positive. We found the modules relevant to the needs of migrant women, appropriate for the intended language levels and well suited to fostering practical life skills. The materials were also considered culturally respectful and inclusive.
At the same time, the review highlighted the importance of careful translation and localisation. Examples, terminology and everyday scenarios need to reflect the different national contexts in which the modules will be used. This involves more than translating words – it means ensuring that learning activities remain meaningful and relevant.
Another aspect to be assessed further is usability. The modules are currently available as presentation materials and will subsequently be integrated into the LiLI digital learning platform, where additional instructions and navigation features will support learners.
The expert validation is therefore an important step towards refining the learning offer and preparing it for the next phase of implementation and testing.
Because effective learning materials need to be more than educationally sound – they need to work for the people and situations they are designed for.
